Exclusive:Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Series of failings 'deeply concerning'

Opposition parties have said the failures identified in maternity and neonatal care across Scotland in a week-long series by Scotland on Sunday and The Scotsman are “deeply concerning” and a “damning indictment” of the Scottish government’s record.

The stories documented throughout Scotland’s Maternity Crisis have revealed how nearly 500 high-level incidents which led to deaths, falls, and the sudden deterioration of patients have been recorded across Scotland over the past three years.

It has also detailed how hundreds of women have been turned away from hospitals due to maternity or neonatal services being placed on divert, with several health boards citing staffing pressures and capacity constraints, and showed that the number of complaints received by health boards has surged by more than 40 per cent in the past three years.

The series of failings have been described as a ‘damning indictment’. Picture: PA | PA

The series, which concludes today, also shed new light on the staffing crisis in maternity services, with nearly 40,000 midwifery shifts going unfilled after being put out for agency or bank cover, amid warnings that safe staffing guarantees are not being honoured.

It comes as an independent review into maternity care is set to begin this autumn, but bereaved families have already expressed misgivings that its limited scope will render it a pointless exercise.

Read more: Scotland's Maternity Crisis - Nearly 40,000 midwifery shifts left unfilled across Scotland

In an opinion piece in today’s edition, health secretary Angela Constance pointed to a series of Healthcare Improvement Scotland inspections of maternity units across the country, and said the review, chaired by Professor Christine McCourt, would pay “specific attention” to issues like capacity and workforce.

But there are cross-party calls for the Scottish government to seize on the problems identified in The Scotsman’s series and bring about urgent reforms.

Jackie Baillie said the failings identified in the series must spark change. | PA

Scottish Labour’s health spokesperson, Jackie Baillie, said the revelations outlined in the Scotland’s Maternity Crisi series were “deeply concerning” and should “raise the alarm” for ministers and health board bosses.

“Far too many women and babies have been badly let down in maternity wards,” she said. “There are clearly systemic, nationwide problems with our maternity services.

Read more: Scotland's Maternity Crisis - Nearly 500 serious adverse events over past three years

“We believe that the independent review of maternity services is required, but it is understandable that those who have already been failed by the system may not have trust in the process.

“Every effort must be taken to ensure that the investigation is thorough and provides the answers those families deserve. They must also be consulted and be at the heart of the review. The investigation must be about more than just process, it needs to improve services and address the fundamental challenges that exist.”

Scotland's Maternity Crisis: The week-long investigation has looked at the failings, the heartbreak and the improvements needed to Scotland's maternity system. | The Scotsman

Miles Briggs, the health and care spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said the findings of the series amounted to a “damning indictment of years of SNP failure on maternity care.”

He added: “Families have been raising the alarm for years, yet ministers have repeatedly responded with reviews, taskforces and warm words rather than meaningful action to support them and those working in maternity care.

Read more: Scotland's Maternity Crisis - Bereaved families fear independent review will be 'waste of time'

“Parents who have suffered the unimaginable loss of a child deserve answers and accountability - not more talking shops. SNP ministers must finally get a grip and deliver the urgent changes needed to make maternity services safe for every family.”

Scottish Green health spokesperson, Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill, said: “The maternity system is under enormous strain and too many women and families are being let down at one of the most important times of their lives.

“This investigation has raised serious questions about staffing levels in maternity services and the strain that the system is under, but it is something that has been well known for far too long - the system is at breaking point.

“It is also concerning to see the high number of women turned away from hospitals due to maternity hospitals being placed on divert. Women and families should be given safe, high-quality care throughout pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period - they should not be put under further stress due to low staffing levels.”

The Edinburgh and Lothians East MSP added: “The independent review is welcome, but it must listen to women and families who have been bereaved and learn lessons from them to stop tragedies from happening again in the future.

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“For far too long, workers have been carrying the burden of staffing shortages and a system that is being stretched beyond safe limits. There is an opportunity to change this, but we must take those impacted with us and learn the lessons of the past. “

Helen McDade MSP, Reform UK Scotland’s shadow health secretary, described the number of patients being turned away due to diverted services as a “disgrace,” and said the series confirmed flashpoints identified in areas such as Caithness were “happening in health boards across the country.”

She added: “With nearly 40,000 midwifery shifts left unfilled in three years, the SNP government has to train and keep more midwives and put real money behind these units to ensure every baby born in Scotland gets a good start in life.

“Ministers have not even published a remit for Professor McCourt's inquiry, which tells you how seriously they are taking it."

Elsewhere, the Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, Adam Harley, said it was clear that maternity and neonatal services had to improve, with pregnant women and new parents assured that they will receive safe, high quality care, no matter where they live.

“Too many women are forced to travel long distances from home for care, too many midwife shifts remain unfilled, and there have been deeply serious incidents that must be properly learned from and never repeated,” he said.

“Bereaved families shouldn’t have to fight for answers and improvements. The SNP government needs to act with urgency, listen to the families and staff who know where the problems are, and make sure maternity and neonatal services have the workforce they need.

“Any reform of the NHS must be focused on outcomes for patients and that starts with getting the basics right and giving families the confidence that their babies will be well looked after when they need it most.”